Tasty treats at annual fund raiser

This weekend self-proclaimed chili connoisseurs will be out in droves to participate in the Great Chili Challenge. Whether vying for the title of Best Chili in Fayette County or judging who you think has the best recipe, it’s a chili-lover’s dream.

This always-anticipated event, hosted by the Line Creek Civitan Club as their largest annual fund raiser, takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Shakerag Knoll, adjacent to the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, in Peachtree City.

The culinary extravaganza will feature competition in several categories including contestants from both professional and novice community businesses, civic clubs and organizations, restaurants and various other groups and individual participants. This year the Civitans have added a new category for youth participants in grades 5-8 and 9-12. Come to the event hungry, as there will be between 30 and 40 chili entries to taste this year.

Admission for the general public is $2 for children and $5 for adults. Families can enter for a price of $10. The ticket price includes a ballot to vote for your favorite chili and a chance to win one of many door prizes.

The competition will feature awards in various categories including Judge’s Choice, Best Decorated Booth, Best Professional Category, Most Original, Best Vegetarian, and, of course, the coveted People’s Choice for the Best Chili in Fayette County.

Entertainment for the kiddies will be on hand as well as live entertainment by The Stampede Band, Ricky & the Boys, and a performance by The Ryan’s Academy of Irish Dance. The event will once again be emceed by Uncle Rich of 92.5FM, The Bear.

This year’s fund raising raffle will feature an E-Z-GO golf cart up for grabs. This year’s silent auction will feature many impressive items donated by the community including Queen’s Jewels and two round-trip tickets to any Air Tran destination.

Contest winners will be announced at the close of the event. The winning raffle ticket will be announced at 3 p.m, prior to the close of the Great Chili Challenge. Raffle tickets, $10 each, will be sold up to the time of the drawing. Purchasers do not have to be present to claim the grand prize. In addition, other door prizes will be given out at designated times throughout the day’s event.

All proceeds from this event are used to support local community charities and Civitan projects that work to improve the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

The Line Creek Civitan Club is devoted to supporting local charities and, thru Civitan International, to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. This focus began in the 1950s when Civitan funded some of the first special education training for school teachers. That commitment continues today through local and international efforts such as summer camps, vocational programs, Special Olympic Games and cutting-edge research into Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Alzheimer’s Disease at the Civitan International Research Center.

At the local level Line Creek Civitan has supported Fayette County Special Olympics, Camp Big Heart and Camp Civitan, Foundation Scholarships, The Joseph Sams School, Christian City, Exceptional Ops, YMCA, Southwest Christian Care and Hope House.

Visit the Line Creek Civitan website at www.linecreekcivitan.org for more information on the Chili Challenge or the club itself.

Shakerag Knoll is located at 191 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City, between Peachtree Parkway and Ga. Highway 74.

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